What began as a routine traffic stop near Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Kentucky, on July 13, 2025, ended in a deadly rampage that left two women dead and several others injured. A state trooper was shot during the stop after a license plate reader flagged the suspect’s vehicle. The gunman fled, carjacking another vehicle and traveling 15 miles to Richmond Road Baptist Church, where he opened fire on people gathered on church grounds.
At the church, the suspect fatally shot two women—Christina Combs, 34, and Beverly Gumm, 72—and injured two men, one of whom remains in critical condition. The gunman was later shot and killed by responding officers. Lexington Police stated the shooter may have had a connection to someone at the church, but the motive remains unclear.
Authorities emphasized the tight-knit nature of the church community, which has been devastated by the sudden violence. As the tragedy unfolded, loved ones took to social media to express their grief. Rachael Barnes mourned the loss of her mother, Beverly, and her sister, Christina. She shared heartfelt memories and revealed that Beverly had written a book filled with family stories, which now holds even deeper meaning.
Christina, a mother of five and a hospital employee studying to be a nurse, was set to graduate later this year. Fundraisers have been launched to support both families. Public officials including Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Congressman Andy Barr, and Senator Rand Paul offered condolences and praised first responders.
The community continues to reel from the trauma as investigations remain ongoing. The tragedy has sparked conversations around safety, violence, and healing within both the congregation and the broader Kentucky public.
